Central Nebraska Prep Sports
TY EVANS - WAVERLY.... HAVE THE STARS ALIGNED TO CREATE ONE OF NEBRASKA'S BEST?
Every once in a while, a young man in Nebraska High School Sports really knocks you off your feet….I mean really catches your eye and keeps you awake at night wondering how talented he is. Every father in the State who has a son wonders what the recipe is for creating an outstanding athlete like this. Wherein lies the secret every Dad seeks to unlock that will magically transform this son of his into one of Nebraska’s best High school athletes? Well, Fathers, I have not unlocked that secret, but I think I just may have found a young man who is the product of this process, one of those rare finds you just don’t run across all that often. His name is Tyler Evans and he performs on the athletic battlefields of Waverly High school………..and his is a some kind of athlete………….and human being!
No, this is not a tale of a young man who overcame impossible odds to be where he is now. Just a normal kid, from a nice town a little ways East of Lincoln, a young man who looks as ordinary as any you will see on an athletic field …or court….or Track. Not “ripped” beyond belief, not 6-9 and able to nab a quarter off the top off a backboard, not so swift he is destined to sprint in the next Olympic Games. Just a “normal” high school athlete………………but then again, that depends on what your definition of “normal” is?
Tyler Evans was born the son of Angie and Doug Evans. Ty grew up participating in all the “micro activities” the YMCA provided. Since both Doug and Angie were former outstanding college athletes at Nebraska Wesleyan, both became involved in coaching Ty in those sports. Doug in soccer, t-ball and flag football, and the former sharp shooting Mom (alias Angie Gustafson) mentored him on the hardwood. Both still hold records in their respective sports at Wesleyan. The elder Evans’ encouraged young Ty to participate in all the sports because the variety made it a fun experience. (Remember the key word “fun” here for future reference.)
Young Tyler was just normal size kid, but one with some noticeable above average skills. Intangibles that helped Ty Evans as a youngster were that constant drive to get better and continually strive to be the best at whatever he attempted, sports or otherwise….always wanted to be the best. He also relished the chance to compete against older players, knowing it would only make him better. The young Evans also always realized at a young age that it took hard work to be good at anything, and that trait never left him. One of his goals was to be an All-Stater in some sport when he reached High School………been there, done that now, as you know.
Tyler Evans of Waverly is a name all High School sports aficionados will know before it’s all said and done. Evans was an All-State Basketball player as a Sophomore, and was named to the 2nd Team Super-State World-Herald team this season, averaging 19.3 point per game. Last Fall as Junior, he was also named to the 2nd Team Super State W-H team in Football, where he excelled as a wishbone quarterback and defensive safety. He rushed for 900 yards in 109 carries and scored 14 touchdowns. He also threw for 232 yards a couple of scores in that almost exclusively run-oriented offense. Evans also intercepted 8 passes on defense. He played wide receiver as a Sophomore where he averaged an amazing 21.5 yards a grab. In Track, he qualified for both the 100 and 200 as a Freshman. An ankle injury ended his season as a Soph., but this year he set blazing marks in both sprints by running a :10.8 in the 100 and a :21.7 in the 200. He outran one of the most outstanding Class B 100 Meter fields at the recent State Track Meet I have seen assembled in years by scooting to a :10.95. That time was good enough for 5th in the Gold Medal standings. He also ran 6th in the 200 and ran a leg on Waverly’s 2nd place 400 Meter Relay, who was beaten only by a Boys Town foursome who was 2nd in the Gold Standings. Tyler Evans Junior year was one to remember to say the least. His hand held 40 yard time was lowered to a :4.39 and things just could not have gone better to an outsider……….but not Ty Evans……..he has other ideas on improving things.
Evans’ Senior campaign is setting up to be a dandy. He has received D-1 attention in both Basketball and Football. Creighton, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Colorado State, Wichita State, and Ball State have contacted Ty for Basketball. In Football, he has received even more attention, hearing from most of the Big 12 North schools, Colorado State, and some Ivy league schools……oh, yes, Ty Evans is also a 4.0 student, just thought you may like to know. Figures, doesn’t it…par for the course for this kid. There is something unique about this Evans boy that you just don’t stumble across everyday, a feature or trait that just convinces you he will be a success, not only in Senior season at Waverly, but in the long run, the biggie, the game of life itself.
You see, Ty Evans had a couple of wonderful teachers in this game of life in his parents, Angie and Doug Evans. These two mentors realized that a child of theirs may just have an above average chance of excelling in sports because of their college athletic successes, but more importantly, the approach they instilled in him was golden. Due to the fact they played at a lower level of college sports, they gained humility because they always knew there was someone better than themselves……all they had to do was look a little West at those athletes at UNL to realize that. So no matter how good Tyler Evans is at Waverly, he never fails to realize there are others better than he. Ty has NEVER been physically ahead of his peers in athletics, in fact usually behind in in strength, size and maturity ( a 130 pounder as a Freshman). He has always had to rely on something that you just cannot teach, and that is HEART, and this handsome 6-2, 180 pound kid form the land of the Vikings has one huge one….enormous to be exact! When I asked him who he looked up to and what his goals were, I was astounded by his humble answers.
When I asked Evans about this, he never mentioned a college or professional athlete. He said he looked up to his strength coach Anthony Harms for most of his successes in sports. Harms ought to know how it goes, he was an OUTSTANDING basketball player at Filley, ranking 13th on the career scoring list in Nebraska and later was a legendary player at UNK. Harms is a smart weights man, trust me. Reminds this me of Boyd Eppley with his approach to lifting. Harms gave Evans the ultimate compliment though, saying that he would be the kind of kid you’d want you daughter to marry….how good is that! I talked to scores of knowledgeable sports figures about Tyler Evans and heard NOT ONE negative word about this gem of a young man. Not too many can lay claim to that one. Tyler also said he had high respect for Jesse Carr, Wes Eikmeier and former Waverly QB, Jim Tvrdy, no NFL, no NBA, no Huskers, just high school athletes. And when I asked him about goals for 2009-2010, here is what he said and it classic: “My biggest goals are to get the most out of every team I play on. I want our football team to be the best it can be, and if we can do that, we can win State. Same for basketball, but if we are the best we can be and don't win state, then I just want to hold my head up and say WE were the best WE could possibly be." What an attitude for a high school lad.
Last week Evans was also one of the nominees for the World-Herald Athlete-of-the-Year honor. He did not get this award, but to be chosen as a Finalist should give you an idea how good this young man is and I’m certain it will make him stronger in his quest for greatness this next sports season. No heartbreak on that one for Tyler Evans, just created more drive, I suspect.
So……..what goes into the making of an highly successful THREE sport athlete like Waverly’s Tyler Evans? Let me tell what this old guys thinks, and I’ve been around awhile and you just don’t run across too many of ’em walking down the streets of too many towns in Nebraska. They are a rare breed. First of all, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have 2 parents that were outstanding athletes, not only in High school, but at the small college level. More importantly, it is of the utmost importance to have parents like these instill those precious values that will guide an child all the way through the school years. The traits of Humility, Unselfishness, a quest for constant improvement, Respect for yourself, your team and your school, and burning desire to dig deep and go the those far reaching depths and lengths it takes to achieve greatness.
HEART…can you teach it? I believe you can, and I think Angie and Doug Evans have instilled this in Ty. Anthony Harms, Football coach Mike Johnson and basketball head man, Gary Nunnally have provided the mechanics and X’s and O’s to hone their respective games skills. But most importantly, this humble young person that seems too good to be true in some senses, has grasped the RIGHT WAY to do things. Here is a kid that never had a ambition to play at a level far removed from high school, never had far reaching expectations to win a Super Bowl, or NBA Title. He merely wants to be the best he can be and it’s all TEAM for Tyler Evans…no ME in this deal. No "I" in Team" is part of his philosophy, and another key ingredient… is to have fun…..part of the deal.
So there you have it new Fathers around the State. No secret unlocked, but a few insights into what goes into the making of a great 3-Sport high school athlete. Instead of a young child growing up idolizing a professional athlete and wanting to be ‘just like him”, it might not hurt to take in a game that Tyler Evans is involved in next season. Might even want to watch how he does things…..just might be worth a look.
Heroes in sports are not as far away as you think, and one you will certainly be hearing about next season is one Tyler Evans of Waverly…..remember the name, you’ll be seeing it often.
No, this is not a tale of a young man who overcame impossible odds to be where he is now. Just a normal kid, from a nice town a little ways East of Lincoln, a young man who looks as ordinary as any you will see on an athletic field …or court….or Track. Not “ripped” beyond belief, not 6-9 and able to nab a quarter off the top off a backboard, not so swift he is destined to sprint in the next Olympic Games. Just a “normal” high school athlete………………but then again, that depends on what your definition of “normal” is?
Tyler Evans was born the son of Angie and Doug Evans. Ty grew up participating in all the “micro activities” the YMCA provided. Since both Doug and Angie were former outstanding college athletes at Nebraska Wesleyan, both became involved in coaching Ty in those sports. Doug in soccer, t-ball and flag football, and the former sharp shooting Mom (alias Angie Gustafson) mentored him on the hardwood. Both still hold records in their respective sports at Wesleyan. The elder Evans’ encouraged young Ty to participate in all the sports because the variety made it a fun experience. (Remember the key word “fun” here for future reference.)
Young Tyler was just normal size kid, but one with some noticeable above average skills. Intangibles that helped Ty Evans as a youngster were that constant drive to get better and continually strive to be the best at whatever he attempted, sports or otherwise….always wanted to be the best. He also relished the chance to compete against older players, knowing it would only make him better. The young Evans also always realized at a young age that it took hard work to be good at anything, and that trait never left him. One of his goals was to be an All-Stater in some sport when he reached High School………been there, done that now, as you know.
Tyler Evans of Waverly is a name all High School sports aficionados will know before it’s all said and done. Evans was an All-State Basketball player as a Sophomore, and was named to the 2nd Team Super-State World-Herald team this season, averaging 19.3 point per game. Last Fall as Junior, he was also named to the 2nd Team Super State W-H team in Football, where he excelled as a wishbone quarterback and defensive safety. He rushed for 900 yards in 109 carries and scored 14 touchdowns. He also threw for 232 yards a couple of scores in that almost exclusively run-oriented offense. Evans also intercepted 8 passes on defense. He played wide receiver as a Sophomore where he averaged an amazing 21.5 yards a grab. In Track, he qualified for both the 100 and 200 as a Freshman. An ankle injury ended his season as a Soph., but this year he set blazing marks in both sprints by running a :10.8 in the 100 and a :21.7 in the 200. He outran one of the most outstanding Class B 100 Meter fields at the recent State Track Meet I have seen assembled in years by scooting to a :10.95. That time was good enough for 5th in the Gold Medal standings. He also ran 6th in the 200 and ran a leg on Waverly’s 2nd place 400 Meter Relay, who was beaten only by a Boys Town foursome who was 2nd in the Gold Standings. Tyler Evans Junior year was one to remember to say the least. His hand held 40 yard time was lowered to a :4.39 and things just could not have gone better to an outsider……….but not Ty Evans……..he has other ideas on improving things.
Evans’ Senior campaign is setting up to be a dandy. He has received D-1 attention in both Basketball and Football. Creighton, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Colorado State, Wichita State, and Ball State have contacted Ty for Basketball. In Football, he has received even more attention, hearing from most of the Big 12 North schools, Colorado State, and some Ivy league schools……oh, yes, Ty Evans is also a 4.0 student, just thought you may like to know. Figures, doesn’t it…par for the course for this kid. There is something unique about this Evans boy that you just don’t stumble across everyday, a feature or trait that just convinces you he will be a success, not only in Senior season at Waverly, but in the long run, the biggie, the game of life itself.
You see, Ty Evans had a couple of wonderful teachers in this game of life in his parents, Angie and Doug Evans. These two mentors realized that a child of theirs may just have an above average chance of excelling in sports because of their college athletic successes, but more importantly, the approach they instilled in him was golden. Due to the fact they played at a lower level of college sports, they gained humility because they always knew there was someone better than themselves……all they had to do was look a little West at those athletes at UNL to realize that. So no matter how good Tyler Evans is at Waverly, he never fails to realize there are others better than he. Ty has NEVER been physically ahead of his peers in athletics, in fact usually behind in in strength, size and maturity ( a 130 pounder as a Freshman). He has always had to rely on something that you just cannot teach, and that is HEART, and this handsome 6-2, 180 pound kid form the land of the Vikings has one huge one….enormous to be exact! When I asked him who he looked up to and what his goals were, I was astounded by his humble answers.
When I asked Evans about this, he never mentioned a college or professional athlete. He said he looked up to his strength coach Anthony Harms for most of his successes in sports. Harms ought to know how it goes, he was an OUTSTANDING basketball player at Filley, ranking 13th on the career scoring list in Nebraska and later was a legendary player at UNK. Harms is a smart weights man, trust me. Reminds this me of Boyd Eppley with his approach to lifting. Harms gave Evans the ultimate compliment though, saying that he would be the kind of kid you’d want you daughter to marry….how good is that! I talked to scores of knowledgeable sports figures about Tyler Evans and heard NOT ONE negative word about this gem of a young man. Not too many can lay claim to that one. Tyler also said he had high respect for Jesse Carr, Wes Eikmeier and former Waverly QB, Jim Tvrdy, no NFL, no NBA, no Huskers, just high school athletes. And when I asked him about goals for 2009-2010, here is what he said and it classic: “My biggest goals are to get the most out of every team I play on. I want our football team to be the best it can be, and if we can do that, we can win State. Same for basketball, but if we are the best we can be and don't win state, then I just want to hold my head up and say WE were the best WE could possibly be." What an attitude for a high school lad.
Last week Evans was also one of the nominees for the World-Herald Athlete-of-the-Year honor. He did not get this award, but to be chosen as a Finalist should give you an idea how good this young man is and I’m certain it will make him stronger in his quest for greatness this next sports season. No heartbreak on that one for Tyler Evans, just created more drive, I suspect.
So……..what goes into the making of an highly successful THREE sport athlete like Waverly’s Tyler Evans? Let me tell what this old guys thinks, and I’ve been around awhile and you just don’t run across too many of ’em walking down the streets of too many towns in Nebraska. They are a rare breed. First of all, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have 2 parents that were outstanding athletes, not only in High school, but at the small college level. More importantly, it is of the utmost importance to have parents like these instill those precious values that will guide an child all the way through the school years. The traits of Humility, Unselfishness, a quest for constant improvement, Respect for yourself, your team and your school, and burning desire to dig deep and go the those far reaching depths and lengths it takes to achieve greatness.
HEART…can you teach it? I believe you can, and I think Angie and Doug Evans have instilled this in Ty. Anthony Harms, Football coach Mike Johnson and basketball head man, Gary Nunnally have provided the mechanics and X’s and O’s to hone their respective games skills. But most importantly, this humble young person that seems too good to be true in some senses, has grasped the RIGHT WAY to do things. Here is a kid that never had a ambition to play at a level far removed from high school, never had far reaching expectations to win a Super Bowl, or NBA Title. He merely wants to be the best he can be and it’s all TEAM for Tyler Evans…no ME in this deal. No "I" in Team" is part of his philosophy, and another key ingredient… is to have fun…..part of the deal.
So there you have it new Fathers around the State. No secret unlocked, but a few insights into what goes into the making of a great 3-Sport high school athlete. Instead of a young child growing up idolizing a professional athlete and wanting to be ‘just like him”, it might not hurt to take in a game that Tyler Evans is involved in next season. Might even want to watch how he does things…..just might be worth a look.
Heroes in sports are not as far away as you think, and one you will certainly be hearing about next season is one Tyler Evans of Waverly…..remember the name, you’ll be seeing it often.
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